Acting Up: Independent Video and the AIDS crisis
Afterimage, May 1989, v. 16, no. 10, pp. 5-7
Alexis Danzig writes of her work with Act Up (the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), a "diverse, nonpartisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis", in response to a bigoted apathy and ignorance that feeds the AIDS crisis. In particular, Danzig discusses the response in the art community towards misinformation and dehumanization or exploitation in the representations of PWA (people with AIDS) by government and health organizations, focussing on five exhibitions or projects in particular. Much of this work make then an attempt to educate (or re-reducate) the public regarding the implications and risks when it comes to AIDS, but also the societal impact of negativity and ignorance towards PWA and activists.
ITEM 1989.117 – available for viewing in the Research Centre
Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited
Testing the Limits – Testing the Limits Collective
Testing the Limits – Gregg Bordowitz
Testing the Limits – Jean Carlomusto
Testing the Limits – Sandra Elgear
Testing the Limits – Robin Hutt
Testing the Limits – Hilery Joy Kipnis
Testing the Limits – David Meieran
Ojos que no ven (eyes that fail to see) – Jose Gutierrez
PWA Power – Gregg Bordowitz
PWA Power – Jean Carlomusto
Doctors, Liars and Women – Jean Carlomusto
Doctors, Liars and Women – Maria Maggenti